Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  They could obtain it from the 4 big companies, the galactic federation or buy it in stores. Prices ranged from 50~100 gold but level 30 was the minimum required to obtain the body coating so it was a high price. The other condition was the sponsor’s guarantee. As mentioned earlier, most users who started the game were 2nd class citizens. Their status was similar to foreign workers entering the universe. Therefore a sponsor was needed to guarantee their identities. That’s why a sponsor was necessary to receive the body coating. It was impossible for a level 30 user to receive a body coating with a guarantor. However, Ark was promoted to a 1st class citizen and also received the Hero title

  This was the reason Ark could postpone the sponsor problem. Users normally hurried to sign a sponsor contract at level 30 to receive the body coating. However, Ark could receive the body coating without a sponsor so there was no reason to rush. Besides, he didn’t need to purchase an IC card.

  “Have you brought the IC card?”

  “Yes, here it is.”

  Ark pulled out something that looked like a USB. Idun examined it with an interested look and nodded.

  “As expected, this is a 3rd generation IC card.”

  “3rd generation……”

  “Not all the IC cards for body coating are the same. When body coating was first developed, the technology was still lacking so the functionality wasn’t perfect. The IC cards were improved and distributed as the 2nd generation IC cards. The one Ark-nim received from Marquis Marin has improved even further and is known as the 3rd generation IC card. But the 3rd generation card is difficult to produce so it can’t be mass-produced. It is a type of limited edition card.”

  Ark also knew this information. He had heard the condescending lecture when Marquis Martin gave it to him.

  ‘The 3rd generation card is far superior to the 2nd generation. This means I’ll get more bonus stats and resistances. Such differences can’t be ignored in a game……’

  There was something more important than that. It was the characteristics of the body coating he would receive. It was already mentioned but body coating wasn’t the same as a profession. However, the choice would have a huge impact on his profession choices. For example, if he received a body coating focused on strength and stamina then he would be more suited to raising a warrior than a magician. If he received the warrior type body coating then selecting a warrior profession meant he utilize his body attributes by 100%. It wasn’t that different from a career choice. Of course he couldn’t choose it lightly. So he had been worrying about it since he received the IC card……

  “I would like to receive the right for body coating.”

  “Have you decided what type of body coating to get? Once it stops then it can’t be stopped in the middle.”

  “Yes, I decided.”

  “I understand. Then let’s begin. Please wait a minute.”

  Idun went out of the room holding the IC card. He went over to a glass wall and connected the IC card to the computer. The unidentified machines started working and different lights filled the room. The light tangled together and formed a 3D image of a double helix. DNA!

  -The body coating has started.

  Your DNA information is being scanned prior to the body coating

  Body coating is a special type of technology that extracts DNA from alien species with special abilities and synthesis them in your DNA.

  However, there is a limit to how many new DNA can be combined and not all the abilities can be obtained. Typically if you strengthen strength or stamina then mental aspects will weaken and vice versa. If you cancel an old body coating and receive a new one then the amount of DNA manipulation will become limited. It is possible to receive 100% of the bonus with the 1st body coating. Meanwhile there is a 20~50% loss after the 2nd body coating due to the physical burden.

  Make your decision carefully so you don’t regret it.

  Lists containing information about the body coatings available appeared with the message. There are four types of body coating. Body reinforcement, concentration reinforcement, mental reinforcement and willpower reinforcement.

  Body reinforcement strengthens the flesh, allowed users to wear heavy armour as well as using heavy weapons like greatswords or heavy artillery. It is suitable for warriors. Concentration reinforcement allows the user to easily capture the enemy’s weaknesses or focus for long range sniping. Mental reinforcement strengthens the DNA involving the brain, allowing users to develop psychic powers or use ancient magic. And willpower reinforcement meant they could develop recovery powers similar to a priest. The four types of body reinforcement could also be concentrated on attack, defense or both. The four body coatings were then subdivided into three types so there was a total of 12 choices!

  ‘But I won’t even look at 9 of them.’

  The first ones Ark deleted was mental reinforcement and willpower reinforcement. When he first read the information about mental reinforcement, he thought it was similar to X-men like powers. However, this was the same power as a magician. Ark enjoyed close combat so these body coatings didn’t fit him. This also applied to willpower reinforcement.

  ‘In order to display 100% of the ability, I need to understand my own pros and cons. My fighting style is quick and irregular attacks. Maintaining that combat style is impossible if I choose a body coating focused on stamina and strength. Then the only possible option is concentration reinforcement. The problem is that I have to choose one of the three types of concentration reinforcement……’

  But Ark’s worries didn’t last long. The different types floated in front of him and one of them caught his eye.

  ‘The thing I desired most when wandering around Beltana! The reason I grabbed my starving stomach in the -50 degrees weather!’

  He wanted to survive.

  ‘The biggest trap in Galaxian is the death penalty. No matter how much I raise my level or gain powerful skills, it is useless if it isn’t registered on the Fairy. If I spend several days at a hunting ground then it could be a deadly death penalty. So the most important thing in Galaxian is to survive! I need to survive no matter the circumstances!’

  The body coating that caught Ark’s eyes matched with that idea. The name was Survivor! Survivor! What more needed to be said?

  “Body coating start!”

  Woong woong woong woong. Woong woong woong woong.

  A fluctuating noise filled the room. The double helix DNA image repeatedly disassembled and reassembled. Finally another blue line was added to the double helix, changing it into a triple helix. The triple helix then plunged into Ark!

  -Body Coating: Survivor

  Survivor maximizes your survival ability through the combination of DNA extracted from alien species living in harsh environments. The biggest feature of the Survivor is the awakening of potential to overcome a crisis. The crisis would turn into an opportunity.

  * The abilities of this body coating will fluctuate.

  Character Information Window

  Name Ark (R-02788) Level 52

  Species Human Occupation Pioneer

  Fame 1,000 Adventure 300

  Health 1000 (+90)+250 Mental Power 500+250

  Strength 125(+23)+5 Agility 175+20

  Stamina 195(+18)+20 Wisdom 15+5

  Intelligence 95+15 Luck 15+20

  * Title

  Cleaning Foreman (Agility + 3)

  Ignorant Destroyer (Wisdom -10, Strength +7, Stamina +7)

  Beltana’s Hero (Strength, Agility, Stamina, Wisdom, Intelligence, Luck +3)

  * Galactic Federation Contribution: 3,000

  *Body Coating: Survivor

  + Environmental adaptation increases by 50% due to the Survivor coating

  + The Survivor coating reduces the drop rate of Satiety by 30%

  + The Survivor coating will reduce fall damage by 50%

  +The ‘Clairvoyance’ effect of the Survivor coating is applied

  -A new skill (Survivor ☆) has been learnt.

  Binding Sword (
User, Active): Danger! Escape! The moment the sword hits an enemy, a mental wave will be fired and the enemy briefly paralyzed. Using Binding Sword will reduce your attack by 50%. But if the attack succeeds then there is a 30% chance to stop the enemy moving for 2~3 seconds. This technique can be an advantage when trying to escape but the situation could get even worse if it fails. So please use it carefully.

 

  Mental power consumption: 50>

  -A new skill (Survivor ☆☆) has been learnt.

  Mind Shield (User, Active): Your health has reached the bottom! At this rate you will die! If you focus your mental power in moments of crisis then you can create a shield. This shield is created with mental power so the melee penalty of general shields doesn’t apply.

  The durability of the shield depends on the concentration and can vary between 50 to 500

  If captured by Rama then concentrate your spirit. You need to stay focused if you want to live.

 

  Mental power consumption: 100

  Cool down time: 30 minutes

  -A new skill (Survivor ☆☆☆) has been learnt.

  Stealth (User, Active): Do you want to check it quietly if it looks dangerous? This will often occur when going on adventures. Stealth is the best choice in situations like that. When using Stealth, the light will bend around the body and you will become invisible to the enemy. However, a large amount of concentration is needed to maintain the stealth state. If you see a cockroach and lose concentration then you could die if an enemy detects you.

 

  Mental power consumption: 200>

  “This is…..”

  Ark sighed as he walked out. He had selected the Survivor coating after much deliberation

  Gaining 1 million experience or 1 million special skills meant nothing if he couldn’t register with the Fairy before dying. So the most important thing in Galaxian was living. Thus he chose the Survivor coating.

  “The bonus stats aren’t bad.”

  Ark muttered as he looked at the character information window. When he browsed the internet, he found that the bonus stats normally given was between 65~75. However, Ark had received a total of 85 bonus stats. Marquis Martin gave him a 3rd generation IC card that gave 10~20 extra stats…..

  “Of all things, why did my luck stat increase by 20?”

  Of course, luck wasn’t a useless stat. No, it was a terrifying one.

  -Luck: Luck can influence the behaviour of the character.

  Luck has an influence on critical hit probability, evasion probability and increases the chance of receiving better rewards from NPCs as quest compensation. In addition, the probability of getting good loot also increases.

  This was the role of luck in online gaming. At first glance it was a good stat. However, luck was all related to probability. In other words, it didn’t always turn out well. And even if something worked, there was no way to connect it to his luck value. Yet his luck stat had increased by 20. It was like those points had been thrown away. However, Ark’s uncomfortable expression wasn’t due to his stats.

  “What the hell? These skills?”

  He had learnt 3 skills along with the Survivor coating. Binding Sword, Mind Shield, Stealth……the effects seemed quite useful. The enemy being bound for 2~3 seconds meant he could escape, the shield could stop several attacks and the stealth technology meant he could hide while moving

  They were all techniques that could be used to escape from a crisis. The problem was that the effect wasn’t fixed. The effect changed depending on the users’ concentration. If he couldn’t concentrate properly then the attack damage of Binding Sword would decrease without any other effect while the durability of the shield would also decrease. And if he lost concentration in a hostile area then he would be in danger.

  “Can these techniques be used safely? Damn, how can I be assured using these skills in a crisis? Is it luck of the draw?”

  He thought it was appalling when he first saw the skill information window. Therefore he had angrily thought about cancelling the body coating. Even if the user was level 100, it was possible to cancel the body coating and receive another one. But cancelling the body coating cost a lot of money. And they also needed to buy an IC card to receive the body coating again. However, that wasn’t the penalty that weighed on his mind. Separating the DNA of an alien species and adding new one placed considerable burden on the body and decreased the stats. It wasn’t possible even if he had enough money. So Ark reconsidered.

  “Yes, the skill description is uncomfortable but I won’t know until I try it out. There are many variables but the effect isn’t bad if used properly. No, like its name it is a skill to escape from suitable situations. It was too early to discard it. He had to try it out. The effect wouldn’t truly be known until he learnt it with his own body. Yes, I’ll try it once. There is no meaning in complaining now.”

  He thought about trying it out. He wanted to leave the city right now to fight. But Ark wasn’t in a situation to do such things right now. At least in the future……

  Ttak!

  Ark was walking down a hallway while thinking. He felt a sudden pain and stars spread in front of him. He stepped back holding his forehead and saw someone else doing the same thing. He was too busy meddling with the skill information window that he bumped into someone after turning the corner.

  “Wah! I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking…..eh?”

  Ark lowered his head after grasping the situation when he suddenly flinched. Surprisingly Ark knew the person. It was Irina. Ark stared at Irina blankly because he never imagined bumping into her. He noticed Irina frowning and laughed awkwardly.

  “I mean…..this is a shocking reunion. I’m seeing stars.”

  “Are you joking? Or do you want me to be angry?”

  “No, that…..”

  “It’s okay.”

  Irina spoke coldly with a deadpan voice. Ark hesitated after seeing her attitude and scratched his head. Irina was about to turn around when Ark suddenly remembered and quickly started talking.

  “W-wait a minute. I wanted to see you once. So I can say thank you.”

  “Thank you, why are you thanking me?”

  “I heard about it from Leader Clem. Irina ran around trying to help me when I was imprisoned on Beltana. There was no time after I was released so I couldn’t greet you directly. Thank you for you regard.”

  Irina was startled by Ark’s words. She thought for a while before shaking her head and saying.

  “I didn’t do it for your sake.”

  ‘Heh, she must be shy……’

  Ark inwardly thought after hearing Irina’s reply. A young woman wouldn’t run back and forth helping a man she had no relation with. Then it was clear. When he heard Clem’s words, Ark was 100% sure that Irina had a crush on him. When he thought about it, there was no other option. Ark had saved Irina from humiliation at the charity party. He was also dressed up in nice clothes so he was looking handsomer than usual.

  ‘I barely spoke with Irina on Beltana. If Irina tried to help me so much then the answer is obvious. Although she pretended not to know, it is clear that she remembers the incident.

  ‘Huhuhu, this is slightly okay. But why is she acting cold? Ah, is that possible? Isn’t the cold character the trend these days? Hmm, this is also surprisingly charming?’

  Ark arrogantly misunderstood. He mistook Irina’s cold attitude as a strange charm.

  “Anyway, it is a fact that I received your help. I am thankful.”

  “Then I guess I have to say thanks to you as well.”

  “Huh?”

  “I was actually on Beltana because of Valencia. I was dispatched to Beltana to investigate rumours that someone was taking bribes from the prisoners. It was hard to gather evidence at first but it became easy after y
ou provoked Valencia and I could file a complaint.”

  It was the first time he heard this. Ark became embarrassed by the unexpected words.

  “But you should be careful. Valencia lost his achievements, was released from his position and reprimanded. It is a weak punishment compared to his violations. But Valencia might still be harbouring a grudge.”

  “I already know that but…..”

  Ark laughed and shrugged. Ark had noisily returned to Istana as a war hero with a lot of enemies. What did one more person matter? The more important thing was that Ark thought she had a crush on him. He couldn’t show his weak side! Ark deliberately put on an easy going expression and said.

  “I’ve believed that justice would win since I was young.”

  “And does it?”

  “Sometimes. Especially when money……”

  Ark made a circle with his finger and showed it to her. Irina stared at it blankly before laughing. Ark was caught off guard by Irina’s reaction to his joke. Ark had seen her many times on Beltana. She was in charge of the prisoners’ supplies so he couldn’t help seeing her. But this was the first time he saw Irina smiling. That wasn’t the only reason why Ark was caught off guard.

  ‘What? This woman…..is pretty.’

  He had thought she was quite good earlier. However, he has always seen her with an expressionless face. But after seeing her laugh, she was an unexpectedly pretty girl?

  And it wasn’t just a pretty looking woman. Ark misunderstood that a pretty woman was interested in him! His chest felt strange after being conscious of it.

  ‘Just once……’

  Ark hesitated as he looked at Irina before opening his mouth.

  “Hyung-nim!”

  A bunch of guys flocked from behind him. They were the Silver Hand and Royal Guards. In fact, the Royal Guards were from different areas of Istana before being sent to Istana. When the war ended, they asked Marquis Martin to be allowed to return to Nephalim. There was a reason he brought them together.